Protecting your skin from sun exposure is important for everyone. Sun protection is especially important after you have had skin cancer surgery. Your skin cancer specialist can tell you more. Dr. Richard Cirelli at Sunwest Dermatology and Skin Cancer Treatment Center in Prescott, AZ, provides comprehensive skincare services, including diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
What You Need To Know About Protecting Your Skin After Skin Cancer Surgery
When you have had skin cancer and undergone surgery for skin cancer, it puts you at a higher risk of developing skin cancer in the future. After skin cancer surgery, your skin is also more susceptible to exposure to sunlight. You may also still be healing after your surgery, so you must do everything possible to protect your healing skin.
You can take some important steps to protect your skin after skin cancer surgery. One of the most important ways to safeguard your skin is to schedule follow-up visits with your skin cancer specialist. During a follow-up visit, your dermatologist may:
- Perform a comprehensive skin examination
- Order laboratory testing if necessary
- Order imaging studies if necessary
- Take a tissue sample or remove a mole for a biopsy
Your dermatologist will also provide you with a customized plan to care for your skin, which may include:
- Instructions on how to perform a self-exam for skin cancer
- Signs and symptoms of skin cancer to look for
- How to minimize sun exposure
Your dermatologist is an expert at skin cancer prevention and sun exposure protection after skin cancer surgery. You need to be proactive about taking care of your skin, so you need to:
- Wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50 when you are outside
- Reapply sunscreen often, especially after swimming or being active and sweating
- Avoid sun exposure between the hours of 10 AM and 2 PM when UV rays are most harmful
- Wear sun-protective clothing, a hat, and sunglasses